COLMAR (68) 05.01.2026

On 5 January 2026 at 18:13, a Colmar (68) resident saw an intense white star-sized point above the Vosges ridge, very low relative to the terrain. It appeared to change direction frequently, including southward deviations with fine luminous trails. Observation was continuous and recorded through a window on a smartphone before sudden disappearance. The witness suggested a drone, balloon or other aerial device. No other witness came forward. GEIPAN rates the evidence satisfactory because usable video supports the single account (see report). The witness watched directly for 1–2 minutes, then filmed for 3 minutes 44 seconds through double glazing. Initially nearly stationary, the light was heavily zoomed after 10 seconds and remained so for 3 minutes 34 seconds. Following a light continuously on a highly zoomed phone screen demands concentration; small hand movements create apparent jerks and trails. Frame-by-frame analysis identifies only camera shake, with the light returning to its usual shape as motion stops. Combined with very slow actual movement, colour measurements and a restricted path, this supports a sky lantern, although no release was located or claimed. GEIPAN classifies A: very probable sky lantern. Evidential substance, in GEIPAN’s terminology, is the amount of reliable, objectively substantiated information collected for an account.